Celebrating national day

A traffic policeman directs traffic in Hà Nội. — Photo VNA/VNS Doãn TấnViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has sent a message to traffic agencies ordering them to ensure road safety during the three-day holiday from September 1-3 to celebrate National Day (September 2) and the nation’s new school year ceremony (September 5). In message No 1038/CĐ-TTg, Phúc said more efforts were needed to improve the capacity of public transport services to meet an increasing demand for travel during the holidays, especially in major cities. The National Committee for Traffic Safety and administrations across the country were told to instruct transport companies as well as drivers to obey traffic safety regulations. Drivers needed to ensure passenger safety by driving more carefully on steep roads and through level crossings and water during storms and torrential rain, he added. Local departments of … [Read more...] about PM demands traffic safety over National Day break

Fireworks over the Rhine Falls. Photo: Christof Sonderegger/Swiss Tourism Brunch on a country farm, fireworks above Lake Geneva, seeing the sun rise on the stunning Mount Titlis or a tour of the Swiss parliament in Bern. These are just some of the best ways to enjoy Swiss National Day. It's that time of year when the Swiss head to the hills to scoff sausages and cheese, politicians take to fields to give rousing speeches and supermarkets go red-and-white crazy. Swiss National Day, August 1st, is a great time to be in Switzerland, with special events and activities taking place across the country. Here are some of the best places to be. 1. Rütli Meadow For many Swiss, this field in central Switzerland is the place to be on National Day. It's here where, in 1291, the three founding cantons of Switzerland – Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden – came together to swear the oath of the Swiss Confederation. These days politicians and patriots return to the … [Read more...] about Ten brilliant ways to celebrate Swiss National Day

This article is available to Members of The Local. Read more Membership Exclusives here. Stockholm In the capital, open air museum Skansen is always a good bet for a sense of traditional Sweden -- it was actually the first place in the country to host a National Day celebration, back in 1893. This year, the events start at 10am, with crafts for children and activities including stilts-walking and sack racing, concerts in the church, and folk dance displays. From 6pm, head to the Solliden stage for a concert featuring several Swedish artists, and you might even catch a glimpse of the royal family, who will be there for the evening event. Can't make it there, or just feeling lazy? You can also watch the celebrations live on SVT from 8pm. The Royal Palace has an opening ceremony at 10am, welcoming the public for a day of free entry to the castle's halls and exhibitions, as well as events for children who can dress up in costumes and crowns. You can also follow the … [Read more...] about The best places to celebrate National Day in Sweden

May 17th celebrations in Bergen. Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB scanpix May 17th, Norway’s national day, was today marked at Oslo’s Royal Palace and around the country. Early this morning, the Crown Prince family began the day by greeting hundreds of cheering Norwegians at the royal residence at Skaugum near Oslo. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB scanpix Special May 17th pastries were on sale across the country. Cinnamon rolls ready for May 17th. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB scanpix The royals were clad in bunads, the traditional Norwegian costume now synonymous with May 17th, as were many of the thousands that turned out on Oslo's Karl Johans Gate for the occasion. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB scanpix Later in the morning, King Harald and Queen Sonja appeared with their family on the balcony at the Royal Palace. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB scanpix The tradition of the King and Queen waving to barnetoget, the children’s procession through the city, was begun … [Read more...] about In pictures: Norway celebrates national day

As Switzerland prepares to celebrate its national day on August 1st, we take a look back through the country’s long and fascinating history, starting with the date the Confederation was born. 1291 This date is considered the founding of the old Swiss Confederation and is celebrated on National Day. On August 1st 1291 the country’s three founding cantons, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden (now divided into Obwalden and Nidwalden), came together on the Rütli meadow on Lake Lucerne to swear the oath of the Confederation, an alliance aimed at better protecting themselves from attacks by outside forces. 1332 Lucerne joined the Confederation on this date, followed by Zurich, Bern, Glarus and Zug in subsequent years until 1353. The Confederation then didn’t gain any new member cantons until 1481, however its territory expanded during this time when the Confederates conquered Aargau and Thurgau – until then part of Austria – and brought parts of … [Read more...] about Swiss National Day: 20 key dates in Switzerland’s history